What To Lubricate The Fork Travel Indicator O-Ring

Lightning78
Profile picture for user Lightning78
Posts
6314
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
Lightning78
Edited Date/Time 7/13/2018 3:58pm
So I Went ahead and installed and overhang on my right leg slider to kind of monitor the travel my fortes will be using going forward now that I’ve change the oil, serviced and cleaned them.

The o-ring itself seems kind of dry and could create some friction when running up and down on the slider and I want to make sure it doesn’t impede the fork travel even though it will be very minuscule but moreover so it doesn’t tear the O ring itself I’m not sure if bearing grease with Moly would be a good idea or Using a dropper with the fork oil i used (Maxima 5wt) or would that dry out the o-ring?

I’m just looking for suggestions from people who may know what would be a good lubrication to use on the O-ring I’ve attached a picture of what I’m talking about but I think you guys pretty savvy and get the point.
|
Jbulz
Profile picture for user Jbulz
Posts
882
Joined
3/29/2016
Location
Ithaca, NY US
Fantasy
4086th
Jbulz 7/12/2018 9:49pm
7/12/2018 9:49pm
Just leave it dry
bowser
Profile picture for user bowser
Posts
185
Joined
12/23/2013
Location
AU
bowser 7/13/2018 3:04am
7/13/2018 3:04am
impede the travel......really
Moto520
Profile picture for user Moto520
Posts
3389
Joined
2/4/2013
Location
Schaumburg, IL US
Moto520 7/13/2018 6:47am
7/13/2018 6:47am
leave it alone. Go with a thinner oring next time.

The Shop

See All »
ZB93
Profile picture for user ZB93
Posts
103
Joined
7/5/2018
Location
FL US
ZB93 7/13/2018 6:56am
7/13/2018 6:56am
Impede travel made me lol. Grab a thinner o-ring next time and some fork oil won't hurt anything if you're really concerned, or just ride harder and you'll find out where your travel ends when you hit the stop.
seth505
Profile picture for user seth505
Posts
9376
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA US
Fantasy
1271st
seth505 7/13/2018 7:20am
7/13/2018 7:20am
Looks like it's a pretty gnarly oring for that job and it is probably hanging up more than a thinner one. If you lube it with any type of grease then crap is going to stick to it.
mx317
Profile picture for user mx317
Posts
4562
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
TN US
mx317 7/13/2018 8:15am
7/13/2018 8:15am
You just want to use it to see how far it goes down. I would slide it about 3 inches from the bottom and let it ride. It's not like it's sliding up and down with the fork.
MotoTribology 7/13/2018 8:53am
7/13/2018 8:53am
If you are dead set on treating the seal, not a moly containing grease. You don't want solids because they can wear the seal material.
Lightning78
Profile picture for user Lightning78
Posts
6314
Joined
12/12/2007
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
Lightning78 7/13/2018 9:46am
7/13/2018 9:46am
I didnt really mean impede the travel ...sorry that was a strong word it was just hanging up a bit. I went ahead and got it wet with a little fork oil, not much but just enough that it moves a lot easier. Its not that big of an o-ring as the picture makes it seem, it has a little ridge on it that was originally on the outside and rolled its way to the inside. All is fine now.
1
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10129
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
856th
Falcon 7/13/2018 3:58pm
7/13/2018 3:58pm
I lube the same type of o-ring on my mountain bike with a quick shot of silicone lubricant.
Paw Paw 271
Profile picture for user Paw Paw 271
Posts
3640
Joined
4/3/2013
Location
Benton, LA US
Paw Paw 271 7/13/2018 4:07pm
7/13/2018 4:07pm
Any lubricant you place on that oring will only hold dirt. Do the zipty thing and you will like it much better. I have used this method for a few decades now with no issues at all. I use it on every bike I have or have had.

Paw Paw

Post a reply to: What To Lubricate The Fork Travel Indicator O-Ring